Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Derek Carr vs Shedeur SandersWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Derek Carr is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 15.8 PPG to Shedeur Sanders's 10.6 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Derek Carr is the better fantasy play this season.

The gap here is significant. Derek Carr outscored Shedeur Sanders by 5.2 PPG in 2025 with 23 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Derek Carr is the clear pick. Shedeur Sanders profiles as a matchup-dependent quarterback who can spike but lacks the consistent floor.

High confidence: stats strongly favor the leader, and the gap is unlikely to close on matchup alone.

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QBNew Orleans Saints#99PPG LEADER

Derek Carr

PPG

15.8

Games

Pass Yds

3,428

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

105

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 12

QBCleveland Browns#40

Shedeur Sanders

PPG

10.6

Games

Pass Yds

1,400

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

169

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Derek Carr

Shedeur Sanders

Head to Head

15.8 PPG10.6 PPG

15 GP8 GP

Bye: Week 12Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Derek Carr: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Shedeur Sanders: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #40 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Derek Carr is producing at 72% of elite pace and Shedeur Sanders at 48%. That ranking gap means Shedeur Sanders carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Derek Carr vs Shedeur Sanders: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Derek Carr and Shedeur Sanders for your lineup, you are not alone. Derek Carr finished the 2025 season at 15.8 PPG for the New Orleans Saints (15 games), and Shedeur Sanders averaged 10.6 for the Cleveland Browns (8 games).

That 5.2-point weekly advantage for Derek Carr is meaningful but not automatic. Fantasy football is a week-to-week sport, and the answer to "who should I start" often changes based on opponent, recent form, and game environment. Season averages set the baseline; weekly context makes the call.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Derek Carr threw for 3428 yards and 22 touchdowns, while Shedeur Sanders posted 1400 yards and 7 scores. Volume, red zone efficiency, and game script are the key week-to-week differentiators when neither carries rushing upside.

One scheduling note: Derek Carr is off Week 12 and Shedeur Sanders Week 11. If these two are on your roster, you will need a fill-in quarterback for both weeks. DraftCall flags bye conflicts so you can plan ahead rather than panic on waivers.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Derek Carr is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Shedeur Sanders is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Derek Carr (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons. Shedeur Sanders (age 24) is in the early stages of his career with 5+ years of starter-caliber upside. His dynasty value is rising.

Did You Know?

•Derek Carr outscored Shedeur Sanders by a projected 88 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Derek Carr played 15 games in 2025 compared to Shedeur Sanders's 8. That durability gap means Derek Carr contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Derek Carr scored 23 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.5 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Derek Carr vs Shedeur Sanders: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Derek Carr	Shedeur Sanders
PPG (Half-PPR)	15.8	10.6
Games Played	15	8
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	237	85
Passing Yards	3,428	1,400
Passing TDs	22	7
Pass Yds/Game	228.5	175.0
Rushing Yards	105	169
Rushing TDs	1	1
Total TDs	23	8
TDs/Game	1.5	1.0
Age	-	24
Bye Week	Week 12	Week 11

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Derek Carr at 15.8 PPG, 5.2 points per game above Shedeur Sanders's 10.6. But season stats only tell part of the story. DraftCall's AI factors in weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status to give you a verdict that updates with the latest data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Derek Carr or Shedeur Sanders in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Derek Carr has the edge at 15.8 PPG compared to Shedeur Sanders's 10.6 PPG. However, the best start depends on weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status. DraftCall's app provides real-time AI-powered verdicts that factor in all of these variables.

How many fantasy points did Derek Carr and Shedeur Sanders average in 2025?▾

Derek Carr averaged 15.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Shedeur Sanders averaged 10.6 PPG over 8 games. That is a difference of 5.2 points per game.

When are Derek Carr and Shedeur Sanders's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Derek Carr (NO) has a bye in Week 12, and Shedeur Sanders (CLE) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Derek Carr or Shedeur Sanders a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Derek Carr outscored Shedeur Sanders by 5.2 PPG in 2025, which gives him the edge heading into 2026. For a week-by-week verdict, DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality and recent trends in real time.